Now that we've spied an uncovered 2 Series, let's take a look at how it stacks up visually against what will be one of main competitors - the Mercedes CLA sedan (with Sport package). One may be a coupe and the other a sedan with coupe-like styling, but this is the closest match we have, until the rumored 2 Series Gran Coupe is revealed.

Once the 2 Series official specs and photos are released, we'll put together another comparo comparing official photos, as well as physical specs.

I prefer everything about the 2er, except for the character lines. I am a sucker for upward moving swage lines.

Not to mention the CLA's panel gaps are executed extremely well, extending that line into and past the rear quarter panel.

I honestly call this a draw. The 2er looks more naturally athletic given its stance and proportions, while the CLA looks a little more upscale, with more intricate detailing (grille accents, skirt inserts, headlights intricacies, etc.) and flowing sheetmetal (particularly where the hood meets the A-pillar; it's rather odd looking in the 2's case).

As an enthusiast I'd pick the M235i without batting an eyelid, but I imagine that the general public would perceive the CLA as the more upscale car.

M235i looks more attractive to me, at least from exterior design point of view. CLA's front end looks needlessly "overweight", and these awful headlamps and tail lights look like they were designed by an Asian designer (which might not matter for some people, but it doesn't look "Mercedes" enough for me)... Same goes for most recent Mercedes refreshes/redesigns. No wonder they are trying to make their emblem more visible (so less people mistake it for something else) ;-)

Sporty/aggressive look, I think has to go to the CLA...but then the rear tails completely ruin it for me but it's not something that would prevent me from buying one. Got to wait until the rear is completely revealed but right now, the CLA seems to be the winner.

I could see the Merc getting most of the looks and being somewhat more upscale than the 2-Series but that's something that the public has to realize, no matter what, the BMW is always going to have that sporty/vanilla look vs. the Merc where the details are much more defined to give it that luxury/premium look.

I'm a BMW hardcore fan but... Mercedes did a better job on designing the exterior, it looks better than the 2 series

But, there is always a but...

Mercedes will never match the RWD experience that you get from bmw + BMW dash + sport seats

Sport seats aren't available on the CLA? and price wise won't a CLA AMG compare more with the M235i? if it does, the seats in that thing are amazing! I do agree on the dash though, the CLA looks horrible, with that tiny little screen, looks like its an aftermarket add on. the 2 series looks the same as the 3 series for the dash and that is a good thing, I love the 3 series dash and nav screen (didn't think I would at first, but I do now after owning one for 7 months).

Next car will hopefully be a M2 Gran Coupe but only if its out by Fall 2015.

CLA AWD could compete with the M235i xdrive. I like the benz because of the front and the fact that we know it comes with a DCT standard as far as the M235i there's a lot of unanswered questions concerning the transmissions other then that the m235i has won me over wish we had a picture of it in alpine white

Are the front bumper air vents on the CLA 250 functional (i.e., are there air ducts behind them that cool off the brakes/rotors)? I doubt it. They seem to be solid plastic slats like the g37s coupe that's part of a "sporty aggressive" design trend and unlike what we have on the 135.

I think the new CLS is stunning, but squash that design into a smaller fwd platform and it looks like a squished cartoon noddy car. I don't think it's (the CLA) svelte at all. As others have said, the front end is overtly heavy in design, a big gaping maw on a small car. The wheels look like they have been stuck onto rather than into the wheel arches, presumably to allow enough room for two (short) adults in the back. The tail is too short to appreciate the swooping curves.

I don't think the 2 series is perfect, but the smoothed out and swept back grill and elongated headlights are better than the old or new 1series and we're breathing a sigh of relief there. I wonder if this is a sign of what the sooner than expected F20 LCI model will look like upfront.

For me the rear 3 quarter pose on the old 1 coupe was its best angle, not that that stubby tale would work here, from what we can see here I think the taillights are bit too smoothed out. A small BMW should be chunky and stroppy looking. I'm interested nonetheless!